Strengthening anti-bullying research : an investigation into the misuse of dichotomous variables

Linda R. Finger, Herbert W. Marsh, Rhonda Craven, Roberto H. Parada

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

Abstract

Effective strategies for addressing school bullying are underpinned by the findings of anti-bullying research. However the latter is plagued with methodological flaws including the use of: (a) dichotomous variables with quantitative and continuous data, (b) uni-dimensional approaches when assessing multi-dimensional concepts; and (c) unsound measurement instruments whereby the psychometric properties of the measures employed have not been demonstrated all of which contribute to misleading conclusions. The purpose of the present investigation was to address these issues and use longitudinal causal models, to examine the relations of secondary school students' (N = 3445, Males = 1780) self-concepts, bullying, victimisation, and depression scores. Results suggest bullying and victimisation are mutually reinforcing constructs and that the use of dichotomous variables to explore relations systematically underestimates the size of the relation between the constructs considered in this investigation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAustralian Association for Research in Education 2005 conference papers
PublisherAustralian Association for Research in Education
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2005
EventAustralian Association for Research in Education. Conference -
Duration: 2 Dec 2012 → …

Publication series

Name
ISSN (Print)1324-9339

Conference

ConferenceAustralian Association for Research in Education. Conference
Period2/12/12 → …

Keywords

  • bullying in schools
  • Australia
  • research
  • methodology

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